Resources

Released as part of the Obama Administration’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative, a resource guide for federal programs that can make it easier for employers to hire young people.

Pathways for Youth Employment: Federal Resources for Employers: This resource guide highlights a diverse set of federal resources available to private businesses, non-profits, faith and secular community-based organizations, public agencies, tribes, labor organizations, and academic institutions that offer entry-level opportunities for youth. Featured resources include One-Stop Career Centers, Federal Bonding, YouthBuild, Registered Apprenticeship and Job Corps programs administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, and AmeriCorps grants administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Information for parents and teachers of children with special needs (and people who want to become special education teachers)

This site includes original, trustworthy content from a number of experienced special education professionals, including prominent contributors such as Tim Shriver, Chairman of the Special Olympics. Special features include:

- A guide to disability categories that are covered under IDEA - State-by-state guides to teacher certification and master's degree programs in Special Education - A comprehensive guide to Response to Intervention (RTI)

Meet Ben! An Introduction to Ticket to Work

This Social Security Administration video provides an easy-to-understand overview of the Ticket program for beneficiaries. In addition, the video serves as an additional resource for service providers to educate beneficiaries by explaining the key benefits of participation in Ticket to Work. Download this video and share it with your customers.

101 Noteworthy Sites on Asperger's and the Autism Spectrum

The term “autism spectrum disorder” (ASD) covers a broad range of complicated conditions that typically include difficulty with communication and socialization, learning and developmental deficits, and obsession with a narrow range of subjects. The complexity and shifting definitions of the term autism spectrum disorder and other related conditions makes this an important subject for anyone working with students or clients with these diagnoses. PhD in Special Education has compiled a list of sites broadly categorized in no set order that offer information, from scientific data to personal anecdotes, that makes it easier to understand autism spectrum disorders, Asperger’s Syndrome, and other relevant disorders.

EEOC Releases Updated Publications on Employment Rights of People with Specific Disabilities

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has released four revised publications on protection against disability discrimination in the workplace. The publications describe how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to job applicants and employees with cancer, diabetes, epilepsy and intellectual disabilities.

National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability (NCWD) for Youth

The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) is composed of partners with expertise in disability, education, employment and workforce development issues. NCWD/Youth is housed at the Institute for Educational Leadership in Washington, DC. The Collaborative is charged with assisting state and local workforce development systems to integrate youth with disabilities into their service strategies. Issues included:

This website of the Employment and Disability Institute at Cornell University helps users enhance their awareness of and appreciation for person-centered planning by providing an overview of the person-centered planning process, self-study courses covering the basic processes involved, a compendium of readings and activities and various downloadable resources and links.

Disability Tax Credits and Deductions

This U.S. Department of Labor website gives details on the tax credits for small business and tax deductions for barrier removal and certain accommodations. Also, many states have state level tax credits that may be helpful to employers.

Red Book - A Guide to Work Incentives

The Red Book serves as a general reference source about the employment-related provisions of Social Security Disability Insurance and the Supplemental Security Income Programs for educators, advocates, rehabilitation professionals and counselors serving people with disabilities.

ODEP's Disability Employment Resource for Employers (Reference Guide)

To meet the need for a comprehensive, portable and easy to understand guide for employers who want to recruit, hire, and retain employees with disabilities, the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has released its new Four-Step Reference Guide, covering topics such as Incentives and ROI, Recruiting, Interviewing and Hiring.

New Curriculum on Transportation Education and Travel Instruction

Easter Seals Project ACTION has released a new curriculum to provide educators; transition, human services and transit professionals; families; and others with strategies for integrating transportation content, including travel instruction, into the educational experience for students, including those with disabilities. It is expected that educators can use this curriculum to reduce transportation challenges and improve transition outcomes for students with disabilities. Improving Accessible Transportation Access and Choice for Students has nine, interactive, self-paced learning modules. Learners may download and customize the curriculum materials to align with academic content, instructional activities and unique learning opportunities available in their settings.

Integrated Employment Toolkit

This online toolkit from the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy's (ODEP) includes discussion guides and answers to frequently-asked-questions for people looking for jobs, employers, community employment agencies and others. Integrated employment places both youth and adults in regular jobs in their communities, along with any needed supports, so they can earn a decent wage. In an integrated employment setting, most of the employees are not persons with disabilities.

Institute for Community Inclusion

This is a publication of the Working Solutions project at the Institute for Community Inclusion, funded by the U.S. Department of Education.Issues included:

The Transition Coalition

The Transition Coalition provides online information, support and professional development on topics focusing on the transition from school to adult life for youth.

The Myths & Realities of Hiring People with Disabilities

Many businesses ask, and are concerned about the cost of hiring someone with a disability to work in their company. There are many misconceptions on this issue and this fact sheet, compiled by Virginia Commonwealth University, provides information about the realities of hiring someone with a disability.

ODEP Fact Sheets on Disclosure of Disability

The U.S. Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has developed three fact sheets on disclosure to assist service providers and youth with disabilities transitioning from high school to a post-secondary setting or the workplace. The fact sheets provide valuable information and resources to help youth make an informed personal decision about the need for disclosing disability.

The National Dropout Prevention Center for Students with Disabilities, in partnership with the National Post-School Outcomes Center, has created an online guide, "Making Connections Across Indicators to Improve Post-School Outcomes: Early State Efforts." Prepared by Cathy Hammond, Ph.D., and Loujeania Williams Bost, Ph.D., the guide provides information on six states that have begun to display, analyze and apply data across Part B Indicators 1, 2, 13 and 14.

The U.S. Department of Labor has released "Skills to Pay the Bills: Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success," a collection of career development exercises and activities to help sharpen the communication and other "soft skills" of young workers, including those with disabilities. The curriculum covers communication, networking, enthusiasm and attitude, teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking and professionalism. It was based on a survey of businesses to figure out the most important skills for young workers.

YouthRules! Preparing the 21st Century Workforce

Learn about state and federal laws that govern youth in the workforce.

CareerOneStop is an informational website sponsored by the U. S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration

ODEP Releases Videos Designed to Assist Youth With Disabilities in their Job Search

This series of videos addresses various topics that will help young people with disabilities navigate the job search process. The videos star young professionals that either have disabilities themselves or work with college students with disabilities and are intended to provide real-life information and personal experiences.

Going to Work: A Guide to Social Security Benefits And Employment for Young People with Disabilities

This booklet from the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI), provides basic information about Social Security disability and health benefit programs, discusses what happens to Social Security disability and health benefits when a young person goes to work and explains how to maximize a young person's options when he or she goes to work.